The management here is terrible! Tried calling several times and I was never able to get through. The administration doesn't care about their patients or employees. I would recommend you look somewhere else, as you can't expect professional care here.
About People Empowering People
People Empowering People of AZ, Inc. is a licensed outpatient behavioral health provider offering counseling and addiction services to adults, teens and children in the Phoenix metro area.
The practice supports individuals navigating substance use, co-occurring mental health concerns, trauma and family challenges through evidence based modalities including CBT, DBT and EMDR, motivational interviewing and mindfulness based care.
Their mission centers on delivering personalized, compassionate and culturally competent treatment that meets each client where they are.
Outpatient Addiction Care
People Empowering People provides outpatient addiction therapy for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, with individualized treatment plans tailored to each client.
Services include counseling, assessments and case management to support whole-person recovery.
Sessions incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, trauma informed care and motivational interviewing to address both substance use patterns and underlying emotional concerns.
EMDR is available for clients who have completed DBT and demonstrated stability, allowing deeper trauma processing within a structured progression. Past clients have shared positive experiences with the team’s supportive approach to recovery.
Culturally Responsive Behavioral Health
The practice places a strong emphasis on culturally competent services for LGBTQ+, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, SMI and Title XIX populations.
Specialized programming is also available for teens, young adults and veterans ensuring that diverse communities receive responsive and affirming care.
Access and Getting Started
People Empowering People serves clients throughout Maricopa County with in office and in home, telemedicine and phone session options for flexible access.
The practice accepts private pay along with select insurance plans, with a published fee schedule based on clinician licensure level.
Edited by:
Natalie Scott
Latest Reviews
This is an updated review... As of March 2026 after receiving my Services from this Organization for over 6 month I am allowing the public to be aware of my experiences. There has been a tremendous amount of negligence, neglect and unprofessional conduct from numerous different employees within this agency.
My Services while with PEoP where great until I had entrusted them to help me with Couple's Counseling. Arin Gurdino is a horrible and unprofessional person that does not know ethics and had very much so negatively affected my life to in the worst way possible.
On the 2nd session she had suggested that there be a different approach- 15 mins together and 25 mins per person individually. Nothing was addressed, or stated to be conflicting after the session ended. On the 3rd visit she had informed me "we are going to be discharging you guys from Couple's Counseling" without even giving me a valid explanation.
With very much eagerness to figure out the reasoning and a whole week of time going by a Supervisor had contacted me explaining that the reason for termination was "there has been some mentioning of DV and Emotional Neglect that makes us concerned that Couples Counseling isn't going to be very helpful, or even an option at this point. Maybe, just maybe after let's say 6 months of both of you doing individual therapy, we can see about starting Couple''s Therapy."
Stating the obvious to her I informed her "of course in the beginning, over a almost a whole year ago there had been abuse and that we where committed to learning the tools from PEoP so that those moments don't ever happen again, ever and we can find new ways to be happy and live together with one and other."
Did that matter? No, it didn't... Months, or a month go by and me and my Partner are stuck together, both having be Borderline Personality Disorders and being Codependent with obsessive traits. They took so much from me and my partner that day "us" that day. They took the chance of learning from our past, finding new ways, the right way and hope from me knowing that my partnership wasn't going to be going away, or dissipating anytime soon. They neglected me as a Patient, a person and my Partner.
It's okay though. I am here sharing this experience with you so that you can be aware that this Organization can and will leave you hopeless, confused and lost if given the chance. With over 4 different employees being part of this decision I am going to have to say that their (many bad apples within the organization) have ruined my Counseling experience for the time being.
PLEASE do yourself a favor and head over to Google and search "JUST1Life", save yourself the heartache that I and my Partner endured by their negligence and extremely unprofessional conduct.
They are aware there's going to be a complaint made to my Healthcare Plan, ACCCHS, the Board of Supervisors. It is my hopes that after proving my supporting evidence of this experience that there be an internal investigation into any other similar experiences.
I wanted to share an amazing experience I had. My husband has been struggling with alcohol and was referred to people empowering people. He relapsed and Jennifer Rizzo personally reached out to check in on him, I expressed my struggles getting him into a facility regarding his insurance. She asked where and she happened to have a connection there. My husband now is in the facility and she even checked in again. Amazing to see how caring she is when she doesn’t have to be. Definitely recommend coming here if you want compassion and support. Thank you for being an amazing human ❤️
I have had different therapist's and never felt comfortable talking to them. I ha e a wonderful woman now. I won't go to anyone else.
Rehab Score
Our Methodology
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5.1 / 10
Location
Other Forms of Payment
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Treatments
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.
Programs
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.
Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Clinical Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.
Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and dysfunctional eating patterns. Many psychologists and other mental health professionals consider eating disorders to be food addictions, meaning food is being used in an addictive way (similar to drug or alcohol addiction). Certain substance abuse treatment programs will have treatment for eating disorders as one of the services offered. An eating disorder may also present as a co-occuring disorder or dual diagnosis alongside drug and alcohol addiction.
Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Contact Information
2428 East Apache Boulevard
Suite 123
Tempe, AZ 85281
Get Help Now - 602-613-5536
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